Ferritic steels for solid oxide fuel cells and other high temperature applications

Oxidation-resistant ferritic steel alloys for high temperature applications consisting essentially of chromium (Cr) in an amount from about 18 to about 25 atom percent, tungsten (W) in an amount from about 0.5 to about 2 atom percent, manganese (Mn) in an amount less than 0.8 atom percent, aluminum (Al) in an amount less than about 0.2 atom percent, silicon (Si) in an amount less than about 0.1 atom percent, and rare earth metals that includes each one of Ce, La, and Nd in an amount from about 0.002 to about 0.2 atom percent with the balance being iron (Fe).

A solid oxide fuel cell, comprising:

• at least two fuel cells, each fuel cell comprising an electrolyte plate sandwiched between an anode and a cathode;
• and
• a separator disposed between the at least two fuel cells and configured to provide gas flow channels, the separator formed of a ferritic steel alloy consisting essentially of chromium (Cr) in an amount from about 18 to about 25 atom percent, tungsten (W) in an amount from about 0.5 to about 2 atom percent, manganese (Mn) in an amount less than about 0.8 atom percent, aluminum (Al) in an amount less than about 0.2 atom percent, silicon (Si) in an amount less than about 0.1 atom percent, and a rare earth metal that includes neodymium (Nd) in an amount from about 0.002 to about 0.2 atom percent with the balance being iron (Fe).